The Origins of Judaism

When people read from the Torah, they are reading from

• the Prophets and the Writings.
• an ancient Egyptian book about the Hebrew people.
• the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.
• a collection of prayers and poems used by the early Jews.

How does the Torah say that Abraham first came to the land of Canaan?

• He guided the Israelites out of Egypt.
• He passed through the area as a wandering shepherd.
• He moved with his family from Mesopotamia.
• He led an army that won the land from the Philistines.

How did ancient Judaism differ from other religions at that time?

• more elegant temples
• rules for how to act
• famous leader-heroes
• belief in one God

According to the Torah, the faith that would become Judaism began with a covenant, or

• holy dream.
• written contract.
• sacred agreement.
• religious gathering.

According to Jewish teaching, what did God promise by changing Abram’s name to Abraham?

• to save Abraham's son
• to help Abraham build a temple
• to guide Abraham to Canaan
• to protect Abraham's descendants

What place did the Jewish people believe was the promised land?

• Ur
• Egypt
• Canaan
• Babylon

Suppose that you were to arrange the following events in order. Which event happened second?

• Abraham moved to Canaan.
• The Israelites moved to Egypt.
• David was king of the Jewish people.
• Moses climbed Mount Sinai.

The word exodus means “departure.” the Israelites Exodus was the departure from

• Ur
• Egypt
• Canaan
• Babylon

Who unified the Israelites into a single nation?

• David
• Solomon
• Moses
• Abraham

What did David provide for the Jewish people that they did not have before?

• a strong army
• a set of commandments
• a famous temple
• a strong central government